Pollution could be detected thru one of world’s deadliest snake

 Unprecedented discovery made by Scientists after examining one of world's deadliest snake

According to new research, one of the world's deadliest snakes can help sniff out pollution. Black Mambas could prove "key players" in tracking pollution, while at the same time keeping ecosystems healthy, say scientists. 'It is a strong sign'. Thy have shown that heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, accumulate in the scales of the world's second most venomous snake. The study, conducted on Black Mambas snakes captured alive in Durban, South Africa, is the first of its kind to examine heavy metal accumulation in an African snake species. The findings, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, mean that researchers can use scale clippings from the snakes to accurately measure environmental pollution levels, without harming the serpents.

For much of the 20th century, coal miners used to use canaries as an early warning device against harmful pollutants. Now, scientists may have found a similar use for the world's deadliest snake. According to an article by the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, new research has shown that the black mamba could play a pivotal role in monitoring pollution. A study on captured snakes in Durban, South Africa, revealed that the snake's scales can provide a great deal of information about pollution in the area. If the rodents and birds which the black mamba preys upon have been exposed to toxic heavy metals, they will ultimately accumulate on the snake's scales. Professor Graham Alexander, a herpetologist at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, said: “Black Mambas are common in the Durban area, and individuals often live in the same refuge for years." One of the world’s deadliest snakes “can help sniff out pollution”. 

“If the body tissue of individuals contain high levels of heavy metals, it is a strong sign that the local environment is under threat.” He explained that snakes such as Black Mambas are apex predators, which means they feed on various other animals such as birds and rodents. The pollutants, absorbed from the food which birds and rodents eat, eventually accumulate in the body tissue of the snakes. Professor Graham Alexander explained, "If the body tissue of individuals contain high levels of heavy metals, it is a strong sign that the local environment is under threat." Rising global temperatures are forcing some venomous snakes out of their historic ranges. In Durban, carelessly discarded rubbish is attracting rodents, which in turn is luring the black mambas into populated areas. Despite its name, the black mamba is brown or grey in colour; "black" refers to the inside of its mouth, which it displays when threatened. Should you ever gaze into that blue-black void, it's a good idea to skedaddle because its venom can kill a human within 20 minutes. You'd better be quick, too, because the black mamba is also one of the fastest snakes in the world, capable of reaching a top speed of 12.5 miles per hour, according to National Geographic.

The research team analysed scale clippings from live snakes which were removed from domestic, industrial and commercial properties, and tissue samples from mambas that had died in road accidents or in conflicts with humans. The snakes found in industrial and commercial areas had far higher metal levels than those from nature reserves and green spaces. The researchers say their findings highlight the value of having connected green spaces around our cities, as they help protect wildlife from harmful pollution linked to urban development. Black mambas are often misunderstood. If left alone, they play a crucial ecological role as a highly efficient pest control agent. They tend to be homebodies and will live out their lives in the same refuge sites, which makes them an excellent barometer of an ecosystem's health and a guide for appropriate local action. The study's authors called for raising awareness to change the public perception of black mambas from one of fear to one of appreciation.

Study leader Professor Marc Humphries, an environmental chemist at the University of the Witwatersrand, said: “We found a clear association between land use and heavy metal exposure in black mambas. The exciting thing is that we can get this information from a quick, harmless scale clipping. It’s safe for the snake and could be used in cities across Africa where snakes are already being relocated from homes and businesses.” A second study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society and also co-authored by Alexander, shows that Black Mambas also shape their environment in ways that benefit other species. He said Mambas often use the same refuge sites, such as termite mounds, hollow logs, and abandoned buildings for years. Alexander said the species serves a "valuable" role in the environment by controlling rodent populations, which may help protect crops and reduce the spread of rodent-borne diseases. Snake expert Nick Evans, who collected a lot of the specimens for the study, says Black Mamba numbers appear to have been increasing in the Durban area in recent years.

Evans, of KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said: “Humans often make their properties appealing to mambas by dumping rubbish over their fence, in their garden, having messy sheds or garages, creating rat breeding grounds. “Durban also has high numbers of feral cats and mambas feed on their kittens. So there is suitable habitat and an abundance of food.” But he says unprovoked bites are extremely rare, with around three to five reported per year. Evans added: “Almost all patients survive, unless they do not go to the hospital. Some of the bites are dry bites, warning bites where no venom is injected.” The research team believes that recognising the value of Black Mambas could help shift public attitudes from fear to appreciation. Alexander said: “People are understandably scared of mambas, as they are one of Africa’s most dangerous snakes, but if we treat them correctly, they can be a valuable tool to assess pollution levels. Snakes in general can play a valuable role as biomarkers for environmental health, and should preferably be left to live in peace in their natural environments.”